An 1889 Basement Startup

Lots of businesses have basement beginnings. But few go on to claim industry dominance and a journey in business that spans more than a century...like McCormick and Company.

Best known today for its iconic red-cap spices that line grocery store shelves and home pantries, McCormick had humble beginnings. Founder Willoughby McCormick started the company in the basement of a Baltimore home in 1889, and went door-to-door selling the company’s spices and extracts. Once the flavors of McCormick caught on, the company moved into more suitable Baltimore headquarters. From there, the company continued to expand rapidly, and has yet to slow down.

Reaching New Markets, Introducing New Brands

After securing its position as an industry leader in the U.S. in the early 1900s, the company started its global sprawl, expanding into Mexico, South and Central America, Canada, Australia, and Europe in the 1950s and 1960s. As the company expanded into new markets, its approach to flavor grew to meet its new demands. The company oversaw many strategic acquisitions, continuously introducing new brands and embracing new food trends.

“We have an expansive global portfolio of products,” said Paul Nolan, Vice President of Tax and Government Affairs at McCormick. “In addition to the iconic, red-cap herb and spices that you’re used to, we also have a wide array of other flavor products.”

McCormick takes pride in its well-known household pantry names including Zatarain's, Lawry’s, OLD BAY, and many more globally recognized brands. Through the largest acquisition in the company’s history, in 2017 the company added Frank’s RedHot Sauce and French’s Mustard to its portfolio.

Today, the company uses more than 3,000 agricultural products from 80 countries to develop its global product line, which services retail customers, in addition to industrial customers.

McCormick is responsible for creating custom flavor solutions for all of the top 10 foodservice companies.??

Research-Driven Flavor Forecasting

While not much changes with staple spices like pepper and paprika, McCormick is always innovating to meet the expanding palates of its end users. Whether it's infusing flavors like pumpkin spice or chipotle, McCormick stays at the leading edge of flavor, through its commitment to research and development.

Inside its Hunt Valley Technical Innovation Center, and in similar centers across the globe, McCormick puts chefs, sensory scientists and food technologists to work in flavor innovation. Work in the Technical Innovation Centers aids the company in the conception, creation and commercialization of flavors.

“McCormick is driven to innovate,” said Nolan. “As customer’s needs evolve and change, we want to be there with them, and actually propel some of the change.”

Growing in Maryland

McCormick has an extensive footprint in Maryland, including the largest spice production facility on the planet, a spice mill, distribution facilities, and its Baltimore County corporate headquarters it has called home since 1991. In 2018, McCormick moved into its new headquarters, a 320,000-square-foot campus in Hunt Valley.

“We’re excited about our new headquarters,” Nolan said. “It is an opportunity for McCormick employees to collaborate and innovate like they never have before. We’ll be moving employees from four different buildings to one state-of-the-art facility.”

While a new facility can certainly help Maryland retain its workforce, Nolan says Maryland’s quality of life helps too.

“At McCormick, with our people-centered culture, we’re focused on developing and retaining quality employees,” said Nolan. “Maryland, the great place to live that it is, helps.”

Paul Nolan - No Link - Success Story Page"Maryland is a great place to work and live. Its location enables us to manufacture and distribute to the entire United States.”Paul Nolan, VP of Tax & Government Affairs, McCormick

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